Folding cot



May 1,1928.

J. L. CABLE FOLDING COT J. L. CABLEl FOLDING COT Filed Aug. 6. 1925 May l, 1928.

2 sheets-Sme: 2

Jverlar.

Patented May l, 1928.

UNITED STATES d 1,668,103 PATENT OFFICE.

JULIUS L. CABLE, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE CABLE CORPORA- TION, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION 0F MASSACHUSETTS.

FOLDING COT.

A Application filed .August 6, 1925. Serial No. 48,621.

This invention relates to certain improvements in folding cots of the type shown in my prior Patent. #1,507,906, in which the frame and legs vare formed from sheet metal shaped in semi-tubular, or channel form.

An objection to cots of this type which employ end bars, which must be placedin position after the cot has been unfolded, is that the bed portion or canvas must `be `drawn tight lengthwise of the cot, and this is done by the leverage afforded by pulling on an end bar until the canvas has been sufficiently stretched to permit the bar to be locked in position. As it ordinarily requires considerable strength to do this, many users have found the difliculty of setting up the cotI a serious objection.

In cots of this type, the canvas has usually been secured in place by forming loops therein through which the side bars arepassed before they are riveted to the legs. In case the canvas has to be renewed, as it would be impractical to remove the rivets, the only practical method in such case has been to sew up the loops by hand' after the canvas has been placed in position, which is a somewhat expensive operation.

The objects of my invention are to provide an improved form of cot of the type referred to, in `which the use of end bars may be avoided and in connection with which means may be provided for so supporting one end portion of the canvas that it will serve as a raised support for the head of a person thereon. Also to provide a cot in which the canvas or other textile support may be readily renewed and will be so supported that the width of the cot may be substantially increased and, at the same time, the area of the textile material which is employed may be substantially reduced. Also to improve the form of pivotal connection between the frame and the legs by decreasing the cost of manufacture without decreasing the strength of the construction.

I accomplishthese objects in the manner hereinafter described and as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings in which:

Figs. l and 2 are, respectively, a planand a side elevation of a cot embodying my invention, the parts being shown yin the unfolded position.

Fig. 3 is an elevation showing the cot .in folded position,

Fig. 4 is a plan view ofthe tion of the cot partly folded.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view, partly in section at .fu-a9 of Fig. 1, showing the 1form of connection of the canvas and side ars.

Figs. 6 to 9 are detail views of the form of connection between each leg and side rail, Fig. 9 being a section on line g/-y of Fig. 6.

Fig. l0 is al detail view of the means for supporting the head end of the canvas. A

Fig. l1 is a detail view of the edge portion of the canvas.

Fig. 12 is a detail View of one of the end leg joints.

Fig. 13 is a section at line e-e of Fig. 1.

In general construction and arrangement the cot is the same as shown in my said prior patent, and comprises two pairs of side rails or bars 1, and three pairs of crossed pivotally connected legs 2,'1one pair being arranged in the middle and the others at the ends. The legs are formed of strips of channel form, or semi-tubular metal strips and the legsW of each pair are arranged side by side and a pivot 3 is passed through both sides of each leg of a pair at the middle thereof, the ends being riveted to make the connection perma nent. The end portions of each side rail are also of semi-tubularform, the middleV portion being semi-cylindrical and the sides parallel, `and the sides of the intermediate portions of the rails, or portionsbetween `said end p0rtions,are curved inwardly,in continuation of middle porthe cylindrical formation of the middle portion of the rail, until the edges of the strip are in such close proximity so as to form retaining lips la. and to V.provide a narrow slot, the width of which is only slightly greater than'the thickness of the canvas 4 which is employed as the bed portion of the cot. Before the canvas or other suitable flexible sheet material is placed in position in the cot the longitudinal edge portions of the strip arefolded about a cord 5 and sewed closely adjacent thereto, and, in applying the canvas to the cot, after the metal parts thereof are assembled, one end of the canvas at its opposite edges, is drawn into the slots between VVas shown in Fig. 8.

drawn through the slots of each pair of side rails, so that it extends the entire length of the cot and is retained Within the rails at all points except those opposite the points of connection in the legs, as shown in Fig. 1.

The form of connection betvfecn each leg and side rail end portion is similar to that shown in my application Serial No. 3583, but differs therefrom in certain details. As shown in Figs. 6 to 8, the form of T-head connector between the legs and rails which Iemploy consists of tivo sheet metal plates or sections which comprise complemental semi-cylindrical port-ions 6 and 7 which are adapted to be fitted together to form a cylindricalshaped head having an external diameter corresponding to the internal diameter, or the distance between the inner surfaces of the parallel sides of the rails 1` at their end iortions, so that it may be closely fit-ted t erein.

The head portions G and T are each provided With an ear S and 9, respectively, said ears extending at right. angles thereto and being so arranged that their adjacent e sides lie flat against each other in the plane of the meeting edges of the head. portions, The side edges of said ears are perpendicular to the head portions, and'flanges 10 are formed on the side edges of earv 8, which project aivay from the ear 9, and'flanges 11 are formed on the side -edges of ear 9, which extendV {iush with the Vedges of flanges 10 and are closely fitted to -the outer sides thereof.l

The side portions of each leg v2, at its upper end, are bent at right angles away `from each other` to form flanges 12, the edges of which are parallel and are adapted tocht closely between the inner or adjacent sides of flanges 10, when the parts are assembled, as shown in Fig. 9, in which position the upper ends ofthe flanges 1Q will Abe engaged with the head portion T.

As thus arranged the ears 8 and 9 are firmly clamped together and to the flanges 12*by rivets 13, which extend therethroughthereby-attaching the leg to the head portions 6 and 7, and holdingthe latter in posiition to forma cylindrically shaped head.

"It-Will-be observed that, with this con struction the parts are firmly braced against As the partsare formed bymeans of dies they will -be uniform,but, to prevent misplacement of the sections When connef'ted, the ears 8are in dented to form projections 14 and the ears 9A are punched out to form apertures, or recesses 15, so that,vwhen the sectionsv are assembled, the projections 14 Will enter the recesses 15 andV make the meetingedges of the cy-lindricalportions perfectly ush, as

Vshown in Fig. 8.

In assembling the legs thus provided with T-heads, the cylindrical portion is inserted of the head at the middle longitudinal lineY of each semi-cylindrical portion thereof. The end legs are connected to the ends of the side rails in like manner by pivot bolts 17, Which pass through the rails in such a position that when the head is held Within the rail in position of alignment, the oppoite end portion of the head from the pivot will extend for a substantial distance beyond the end of the rail, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. A stay'piece consisting of a flat metal strip'18 is connected by rivets, or other suitablemeans, to the under side of the canvas 4, at each corner thereof, closc to, and inY parallel relation with the adjacent end edges of the/canvas. and each stay piece is extendedfor a short distance beyond the adjacent side edge of the canvas and is fiexibly connected to the end portion Vof the adjacent T-head, which projects beyond the adjacent end of the side bar, by means of a split rivet 19, or other suitable means, which permits convenient removal in case it is necessary to disconnect the canvas from the frame, for the purpose of removal. At the end of the cotldesigned to be the foot end, the arrangement is such that, when the cot is unfolded and in position for use, the

canvas Willl be drawn between the stays as tightly as at other points. At the head end. each leg'has a stiff metal post, or strutQ() connected thereto by ay pivot 21 at a suitable distance froni the Aupper end thereof, and each stay piece 18 has a. small hole or recess 22 therein adapted to receive the ops posite end of theV strut 20, which may be somewhat pointed as shown. when the latter is in an approximately vertical position,as shown in Fig. 10, in which position the stay piece lwill he heldin an upwardly inclined position from the leg. Vith this Varrangement. when the cot is` unfoldedand before the side rails are spread apart to the'fullest extent the struts' 20 Will be placed in the position ofFig.10, thereby r-:upporting the canvas between the staysywhenthc cot is fnllyopen. at a substantial distance above the level of the side rails, asshovvn in Figs. 1 and Q, so that a support for the head of the. person reclining on the cot.y is provided. lVhen the cot is folded, the struts are swung out of engagement with the stays andv folded withv the legs.

In lfolding the cot, the side rails are first swung together, then the end legs arefolded against the adjacent rails, and then the Whole frame is folded at the middle joints. .In performing this last folding operation, the

Vmiddle portion of the canvas is drawn about Ril till

the middleI joints, so that the canvas is drawn from the ends of the cot frame to some extent, 'and I have ascertained that,

when the canvas is permanently attached to the frame at each end, complete folding of the cot is not possible without placing undue strain on the canvas, unless sufficient slack canvas is given olf at the ends to offset that taken up by the middle joints. For 'this reason the T-head at the end of each side bar is ivotally connected thereto at such a point t at the opposite end from the pivotally connected end extends to a substantial extent beyond the adjacent end of the side bar, and the canvas connected to this end portion as above described. With this arrangement, when. the end legs are folded, the points at which the canvas, at its corners, are

` attached will be carried from the dotted line position of Fig. 12, towards the middle joint, j

to the full line position thereof, thereby providing suiicient slack canvas to permit foldin v gAs shown in Fig. 6, the ears 8, 9 are located somewhat nearer one end of the semicylindrical portions 6, 7 than the others, the purpose of this arrangement being to permit both parts which form the T-heads to be used on any one of the legs and to provide for the different setting thereof in the side bars to compensate for the off-set position of each leg of a pair with relation to each other, due to the fact that they are arranged to swing in different planes rather than in the same plane. That is, as shown in Fig. 4, the T-head which is connected to the side rail at one side is in the correct position for one leg of the pair and the T-head which is connected to the opposite side rail is in the correct position for the other leg of the pair, while the ends of the heads and piwots therein will be directly opposite.v For the same reason, the distances which the heads at the ends of the cot will project beyond the ends of the side rails willbe the same.

The metal from which the sections of the connecting heads are formed may be died out from small pieces of sheet metal which ordinarily would be waste stock, so that a substantial reduction in manufacturing cost may be made, as compared with a construc-` tion which would have to be made from whole stock, and at the same time the constructionis as strong as my previous constructions, and is capable of being more easily assembled in the process of manufacture.

The provision of means whereby the end bars may be omitted substantially reduces' the Weight and cost ofthe cot, and at the same time greatly increases the facility with which it may be set up, and the provi sion of means for elevating the head end of the canvas when desired is of substantial advantage.

The above described means for attaching the canvas, or other sheet material forming the bed, to the side rail, is advantageous in several respects as compared with my previw ous arrangement, as the width of the cot may be substantially increased and at the same time the width of the canvas employed may be reduced. Also the manufacturing cost is less and the construction permits new canvas to be placed in the cot without Adiiiculty.

Iclaim:

1. A channel formr metal leg adapted for use in al cot having a channel form metal side rail, a pair of metal plate sections having' complemental head portions adapted. to fit corresponding opposite portions of the side rail interiorly and to be connected thereto, andhaving ears extending` from said head portions in transverse relation and arranged to be held one lagainst the other when said head portions are fitted within the rail and means for clamping said ear portions to the leg at one side thereof.

2. A channel form metal leg adapted for use in a cot having a channel form metal Vside rail, a pair of metal plate sections having complemental, semi-cylindrically shaped head portions corresponding exteriorly to the interior surface of a portion of the side rail andadapted to be fitted therein and to receive a pivot for engaging the sides of the rail, and having ear portions projecting transversely from said head portions and engaged with each other in parallel relation and extending longitudinally of the leg, and means for clamping said ear portions to each other andto the leg. i

3. A channel form metal leg adapted for use in a cot having a channel form side rail, said leg having the edge portions of its sides bent outwardly to form oppositely disposed flanges, a connector for said rail and leg consisting of a pair of metal plates each shaped to provide complemental head portions adapted to be fitted within an end portion of the rail and to be pivotally connected thereto, and ear portions extending transversely from said head portions and adapted to be held in surface engagement with each other and with the legllanges when said head portions are in complemental position, and means for clamping said ear portion and leg flanges together.

4. A channel form metal leg adapted for use in a cot having a channel form metal side rail, said leg having the edve portions of its sides bent outwardly to fborm oppositely disposed flanges, a pair of metal plate sections each comprising a half channel form head portion corresponding exteriorly to the interior surfaces of corresponding por- Vtions of the side rail into which said head arranged to be engaged With each other in parallel relation when the head portions are fitted Wit-hin said rail, and means clamping said ear portions together and to said flanges to rigidly attach said plate sections thereto.

5. A channel forni metal leg adapted for use in a cot having a channel forni metal side rail, said leg having the edge portions of its sides at its upper end bent outwardly to form oppositely disposed flanges, a pair of metal plate sections each Comprising a half channel forni head portion corresponding exteriorly to the interior surface of' corresponding portions of the side rail and into which said head portions are adapted to be fitted, and ear portions projecting transversely from said head portions and arranged to he held with their adjacent sides in Contact with each other when the edges of the head portions are engaged and means for claniping said ear portions to said flanges in longitudinal relation.

6. A channel form nietal leg adapted for use in a eot having a channel form nietal side rail, said leg having the edge portions Y of its sides bent outwardly to forni oppositely disposed flanges, a connector for said rail and leg consisting of a pair oit metal plates each shaped to provide complementa] head portions adapted to he fitted Within an end portion of the said rail and to be pivotally connected thereto and ear portions extending transversely from said head portions and adapted to be held in surface engage-V ol its sides bent outwardly to form oppo- A sitely disposed flanges, a connector for said rail and leg consisting of a pair of metal plates each shaped to provide eornplemental head portions adapted to he fitted Within an end portion ot' the side rail and to be pivotally connected thereto, and earrportions extending transversely from said head portions and adapted to be held in surfaeeengagenient with each other and with the leg flanges when said head portions areiny oomplemental position, each of said ear portions having flanges extending longitudinally of their edges, the flanges of the ear portion next the leg being directly engaged with the edges of'its flanges and being overlapped hy the flanges olf the other ear portion and ineans for elaniping said ear portions and leg flanges together.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification. i

,JULIUS L. CABLE. 

